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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Owners Manual: Automatic belt retractor, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter

Three linked mechanisms make the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 seat belt system work as intended: the automatic retractor on the shoulder belt, which gives full freedom of movement in normal driving while locking instantly in a collision; the belt tensioner, which removes slack the instant a crash is detected; and the belt tension limiter, which controls the load transmitted to the body. This page explains how all three work together.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

The seat belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle safety concept   and include the following important functions:

Automatic belt retractor

Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder part of the belt. Full freedom of movement is made possible when the shoulder belt is pulled slowly or when the vehicle is travelling at normal speeds. However, if the belt is pulled out quickly or during sudden braking, during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration, the automatic belt retractor is locked.

Belt tensioners

The seat belts for the front seat vehicle occupants, and in some cases those on the outer rear seats, are equipped with belt tensioners.

The belt tensioners are activated by sensors during severe frontal, side and rear collisions. They tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. Any slack in the seat belt is retracted, which can reduce the passenger's movement forwards or in the direction of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag system. If the side airbags are not activated, the belt tensioner will not be activated if the vehicle rolls over.

A fine dust may be produced when the airbags are triggered. This is quite normal and does not mean that there is a fire in the vehicle.

Belt pre-tensioning and temporary belt tensioning

When the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened, the belt is automatically pre-tensioned and the belt slack minimised depending on the journey time and vehicle speed at the beginning of every journey. In certain driving situations (for example in a sudden braking manoeuvre, oversteering and understeering) the seat belt can be tensioned temporarily   .

Belt tension limiter

The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body during an accident.

All safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or components of the system are scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these requirements  

    Questions & answers

    Automatic belt retractor, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

    What is the automatic belt retractor on the Golf Mk7?
    It allows full freedom of movement during normal driving by letting the belt extend and retract as you lean forward or shift position, but locks instantly during sudden braking or a collision.
    How does the Golf Mk7 belt tensioner work?
    In a sufficiently severe frontal or side impact, the pyrotechnic belt tensioner fires in milliseconds, pulling the belt tight against the body to minimise forward movement before the airbag deploys.
    What is the belt tension limiter on the Golf Mk7?
    After the tensioner tightens the belt, the tension limiter allows a controlled amount of belt extension to reduce the peak force on the chest, lowering the risk of rib injuries.
    Are Golf Mk7 belt tensioners reusable after a crash?
    No. Pyrotechnic belt tensioners are single-use. After deployment they must be replaced along with the entire belt assembly at a Volkswagen dealer.
    Belt height adjuster
    Fig. 68 Next to the front seats: belt height adjuster First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings The seat belt height adjusters for the front seats can be used t ...

    Service and disposal of belt tensioners
    First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings Seat belts may become damaged during any work on the belt tensioners or while removing or refitting any vehicle parts in c ...

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